Fluid Tank Having Integrated Shut-Off

ABSTRACT

A reservoir is provided. The reservoir defines an internal storage cavity. A plurality of system connections extend through a sidewall of the reservoir defining channels fluidly communicating the internal cavity of the reservoir with the exterior of the reservoir. A valve arrangement has a valve member that operably simultaneously closes off all of the plurality of system connections to prevent fluid flow from the internal cavity through the system connections when in a closed position. The valve arrangement, when the valve member is in an open position, permits fluid flow from the internal cavity and through all of the plurality of system connections.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/224,288, filed Jul. 9, 2009, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fluid storage tanks and more particularly to fluid storage tanks having a plurality of outlet or suction lines connected thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fluid storage tanks, also referred to as reservoirs, are used for storing fluid for one or more systems that use the fluid stored therein. One particular system is a hydraulic system that includes a hydraulic reservoir for storing hydraulic fluid that is then used for downstream systems. The reservoir will include at least one outlet that is connected to a suction line that connects to a downstream pump for pushing the fluid through the system. The hydraulic fluid can then be used to actuate or control downstream apparatus such as linear actuators, other pumps, etc.

In large systems, a plurality of suction lines may be attached to the hydraulic reservoir such that a plurality of different, independent or even interdependent systems can draw fluid from the reservoir for use in downstream operations. Unfortunately, when the hydraulic reservoir needs to be drained such as during regularly scheduled maintenance intervals, the suction lines must be closed off to prevent backflow of the fluid and leakage during the maintenance operation. In the past, each suction line would include an independent valve connected between the suction line and the reservoir to isolate the reservoir from the rest of the hydraulic system.

Unfortunately, this provides for a plurality of potential leak points at each valve and/or connection point for the valves. Further, this requires shutting off a plurality of valves during the service or maintenance interval. If an operator forgets to close one of the valves, leakage may occur. Further, by requiring a plurality of valves, the system becomes substantially more complex, substantially larger, and substantially more expensive.

Therefore, embodiments of the present invention relate to improvements over the current state-of-the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to new and improved reservoirs that include new and improved devices for simultaneously isolating a plurality of downstream systems from the reservoir.

In a particular embodiment, the reservoir defines an internal storage cavity. A plurality of system connections extend through a sidewall of the reservoir defining channels fluidly communicating the internal cavity of the reservoir with the exterior of the reservoir. A valve arrangement has a valve member that operably simultaneously closes off all of the plurality of system connections to prevent fluid flow from the internal cavity through the system connections when in a closed position. The valve arrangement, when the valve member is in an open position, permits fluid flow from the internal cavity and through all of the plurality of system connections.

The valve member may include a seal plate and a seal member that interacts with a valve ring. The valve ring encompasses all of the system connections such that when the seal plate and seal member close off the seal ring all of the system connections are simultaneously sealed off from the interior of the reservoir.

Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective illustration of a fluid reservoir in accordance with the teachings of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2-4 are partial cross-sectional illustrations of the reservoir of FIG. 1 illustrating a valve arrangement thereof in an open position; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of the reservoir of FIG. 1 illustrating the valve arrangement in a closed position.

While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a representative reservoir 100 for storing fluid. The reservoir may also be referred to as a storage tank. The reservoir 100 includes a central cavity that is defined by the outer shell or sidewalls thereof that stores the fluid. The illustrated reservoir 100 includes four system connections 102 to which a suction line or other conduit (not shown) can be connected to supply fluid from inside the reservoir 100 to downstream systems.

The reservoir also includes a plurality of other connections that can be used, such as for connecting return lines for excess fluid that was not used in a downstream system or that has returned to the reservoir 100 for other reasons.

FIGS. 2-5 are partial cross-sectional illustrations of the reservoir 100 illustrating an embodiment of an inventive shut-off valve arrangement for shutting off or isolating the system connections 102 from the interior 108 of the reservoir 100. The shut-off valve arrangement 104 acts to simultaneously and simply seal off all of the system connections 102. This provides the advantage of reducing the potential number of leak points as there is only a single valve arrangement. Further, by requiring the operator or mechanic to only shut-off/close a single valve arrangement, the possibility or potential of failure to seal off all of the system connections is effectively eliminated.

The shut-off valve arrangement 104 of the illustrated embodiment generally includes a valve member 110 that is formed from a seal plate 112 including a seal member 114 (see FIG. 4) in the form of an o-ring mounted on a cylindrical side thereof. The seal member 114 extends radially outward from the cylindrical side of the seal plate 112.

Connected to the seal plate 112 is a valve main shaft 116. The main shaft extends axially through a sidewall 120 of the reservoir 100. The main shaft 116 is axially secured to the seal plate 112 such that axial movement along axis 122 inward or outward of the reservoir 100 will result in similar translation of the valve member 110.

The valve main shaft 116 is preferably mounted in a support bushing 124. The valve main shaft 116 is preferably sealingly mounted within the bore of the support bushing 124 to prevent fluid leakage therebetween. This seal may be provided by a friction fit, an elastomeric seal member, such as an o-ring, or other sealing arrangements.

The valve main shaft 116 is configured for axial movement along axis 122 within support bushing 124. This axial movement may be effectuated by means such as a push-pull system. In other words, the user may merely push or pull axially along axis 122 to transition the valve member 110 toward or away from sidewall 120 to open or close the valve arrangement 104. When using a push-pull arrangement, there may be sufficient frictional forces between the valve main shaft 116 and support bushing 124 such that fluid pressure within the reservoir 100 will not effectuate movement of the valve member 110 during standard operation of any downstream systems that draw fluid through system connections 102.

Alternatively, the valve main shaft 116 may threadedly engage support bushing 124 such that rotation about axis 122 in a first direction will draw the valve member 110 towards the sidewall 120 and rotation about axis 122 in the opposite direction will drive the valve member 110 away from sidewall 120.

In the illustrated embodiment, the valve member 110 sealingly interacts with a seal ring 128 to seal off the system connections 102. The seal ring 128 defines an internal cavity 130 that fluidly connects with channels defined by the system connections 102. The seal ring 128 preferably entirely encompasses all of the channels of the system connections 102 so as to prevent any restriction of fluid flow through the system connections 102 when the valve arrangement 104 is in an open position. In other words, the cluster of system connections 102 define an outer periphery or perimeter in which they are entirely contained. The seal ring 128 therefore has an internal cavity having a diameter that is at least as great as that outer periphery or perimeter defined by the cluster of system connections 102 such that all of the system connections 102 are entirely radially housed within the seal ring cavity 130.

When the valve arrangement 104 is in the open position, such as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the valve member 110 is axially spaced from the seal ring 128 such that a gap is formed therebetween. This gap permits fluid communication between the interior 108 of the reservoir 100 and the plurality of system connections 102 through the seal ring cavity 130.

The closed position of the shut-off valve arrangement 104 is illustrated in FIG. 5. In the closed position of the illustrated embodiment, the valve member 110 sealingly engages the seal ring 128 to prevent fluid communication between interior 108 of the reservoir 100 and the system connections 120. To seal off the interior 108 from the system connections 102, the seal member 114 (illustrated in FIG. 4) radially engages a radially inner surface 134 of the seal ring 128 forming a radial seal therebetween. The radially inner surface 134 includes a chamfer 136 to facilitate smooth and easy closure of valve arrangement 104, and more particularly, insertion of the valve member 110 into the seal ring cavity 130.

In the illustrated embodiment, the seal ring 128 is sealingly and fixedly mounted to sidewall 120 to prevent any fluid leakage therebetween. This mounting may be effectuated such as by an adhesive, but is most preferably effectuated by welding. Alternatively, the seal ring could be a stamped feature in the sidewall 120 of the reservoir 100.

The seal ring 128 and system connections 102 effectively form a suction line manifold. The manifold has a single effective inlet defined by the seal ring cavity 130 and a plurality of effective outlets defined by the individual system connections 102.

While not illustrated, alternative embodiments of the system are contemplated. For example, embodiments that are entirely void of the sealing ring 128 are contemplated. More particularly, the valve member may directly close off and seal off the system connections 102 by directly engaging an inner surface of sidewall 120. In such an embodiment, the valve member 110 will have a sealing face that faces sidewall 120 having diameter that is greater than the outer periphery defined by the system connections 102 such that when the valve member 110, and particularly the sealing face, is drawn axially against the inner surface of sidewall 120, the valve member 110 will entirely overlap and seal off all of the relevant system connections 102. In such an arrangement, the seal member will be formed on the seal face forming an axial end of the seal plate 112 that faces the sidewall 120. Typically, the seal member would be an annular structure that bounds the periphery defined by the cluster of system connections 102. The seal member 114 would then form an axial seal between the seal plate 112 and the inner surface of the sidewall 120.

In another alternative embodiment, the seal ring 128 may still be maintained. However, rather than having the seal plate 112 axially received within the seal ring cavity 130 to effectuate the radially directed seal therebetween, the seal member 114 may be formed on an axial end of the seal plate 112 and the seal plate 112 will entirely overlap the seal ring cavity 130. In the closed position, the seal plate 112 and seal member 114 will then be axially compressed against an axial end face of the seal ring 128 to form an axial seal therebetween.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

1. A fluid storage system comprising: a fluid reservoir defining an internal storage cavity; a plurality of system connections extending through a sidewall of the reservoir defining channels fluidly communicating the internal cavity of the reservoir with the exterior of the reservoir; and a valve arrangement having a single valve member that operably simultaneously closes off all system connections preventing fluid flow from the internal cavity through the system connections, when in a closed position, the arrangement, when the valve member is in an open position, permits fluid flow from the internal cavity through the plurality of system connections.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve arrangement includes a valve member that, in the closed position, sealingly engages a seal ring that defines an internal cavity in fluid communication with all of the channels of the system connections to prevent fluid flow from the internal storage cavity through the channels.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the valve member has an outer diameter that is sized to seat within the cavity defined by the seal ring.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the valve member includes a seal member on a radially outer surface of the seal plate, the seal member being radially interposed between the seal plate and the seal ring forming a radial seal therebetween in the closed position.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the valve arrangement further includes a valve main shaft connected to the valve member, the valve main shaft extending axially through the sidewall of the reservoir, the valve main shaft mounted for axial movement such that the valve member is axially transitioned toward the sidewall to close the valve arrangement and axially transitioned away from the sidewall to open the valve arrangement.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the valve main shaft is mounted for axially sliding movement relative to the sidewall.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the valve main shaft is threadedly mounted to the sidewall such that the valve main shaft must be rotated to axially transition the valve member toward and away from the sidewall.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve member includes a seal plate and a seal member mounted to an axial end face of the seal plate, the seal member being an annular seal member, the annular seal member having an inner periphery that is larger than an outer periphery defined by the plurality of system connections, wherein in the closed position the seal member is axially biased against an inner surface of the sidewall of the reservoir, and sandwiched between the seal plate and the sidewall, the outer periphery defined by the plurality of system connections being entirely encompassed in the inner periphery of the seal member to close off all system connections from the interior of the reservoir in the closed position.
 9. The system of claim 2, where in the seal plate has a diameter greater than an internal diameter of the seal ring such that the seal plate radially overlaps the seal ring cavity and a portion of an end face of the seal ring such that a the seal member is axially sandwiched between an axial end face of the seal plate axially facing the sidewall and the axial end face of the seal ring in the closed position forming an axial seal therebetween.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the seal ring and the plurality of system connections form a manifold arrangement, the seal ring defining a single inlet to the manifold arrangement and the plurality of system connections forming a plurality of outlets for the manifold arrangement, the manifold arrangement passing through the sidewall of the reservoir. 